Coin classifier and slug detector



Aug 29, W39. F. w. HOBAN 2,170,897

(JOIN CLASSIFIER AND SLUG DETECTOR Filed Sept. 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1-gg mummufi N i0,

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INVENTOR Fairfield W Hoban f2 lam/n? ATTORNEY Aug. 29, 1939. F, HQBAN2,170

com CLASSIFIEB. AnD'sLue DETECTOR W MM ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 29, 1939PATENT OFFICE 2,170,897 com CLASSIFIER. AND SLUG DETECTOR Fairfield W.Hoban, New York, N. Y., assignor to Stewart & McGuire, Inc., New 0l'k,N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 5, 1936, SerialNo. 99,554

'7 Claims.

The present invention relates to coin classifiers and slug detectors foruse with coin-controlled vending machines and the like.

It has heretofore been customary in coin-controlled machines adapted tobe operated by coins of different denominations, to provide as many coinopenings as there are sizes of coins receivable by the machine, and toprovide a coin chute from each of the openings to separate coin weighingand scavenging devices to test the coins before they'are allowedto passon into the vending machine. i

The present invention contemplates a coin classifier and slug detectorhaving a single coin opening adapted to receive the largest size coinwith which the device is to operate, as well as any smaller coins.

These coins are all allowed to roll along a coin chute or coin guideprovided with independent coin scales, each adapted to be tripped onlyby a coin of sufficient weight.

The coin guide is also provided with a stepped passageway which arrestsor stops coins or slugs in accordance with the diameter of the same, so

28 that larger coins, such as quarters, are stopped at one place,preferably over the quarter scale; intermediate size coins, such asnickels and cents stopped above the-coin scale for the nickel, and dimesare allowed to roll to the last coin scale in the series.

As each of the coin scales is adapted to be tripped only by a coin ofsufiicient weight, and as the dimensions of the passageway may be madeso that they will not receive other'sized slugs, it is apparent that thedevice, when provided with a magnetic device to stop magnetizable slugs,will ensure that good coins only are discharged by the coin scales.

vided with means for'opening up the coin guide or chute so as to clearit of slugs, under-weight coins or improper coins which will bedischarged in such a manner as not to enter into the chute provided forthe good coins discharged by the coin scales. The discharge of theseslugs and under-weight coins is preferably accomplished by providing thecoin chute with fixed and movable wall forming members, spaced toaccommodate the coins and wherein the movable wall forming member isprovided with elements adapted to engage the slugs or coins on the coinscale and shift them laterally oil. the coin scale so t a they dropfree.

' Other and further objects of the invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

The accompanying drawings show, for purposes of illustrating the presentinvention, one of the many embodiments in which the invention may takeform, it being understood that the drawings are illustrative of theinvention rather than limiting the same.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the coin classifier and slug.detector;

Fig. 1a is a fragmentary end view;

Fig. '2 is a vertical sectional view taken from the front and on theline 2--2 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view;

Figs. 4 and 5 are sections on the line 4-4 of Figs. 1 and 3, Fig. 4showing the coin guide closed, and Fig. 5 showing it open;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section view similarto Fig. 4 showing thetripping of the scale by a coin;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 5 illustratingthe discharge of a slug or under-weight coin; and

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, reference character In illustrates a back platesubstantially L-shaped, having an upright part H and a downwardlysloping part l2. The upper end of the fixed plate has bearing members [3and I4 ,for a shaft l5 which supports a movable side plate l8 heldtoward the back plate by a coil spring I1. This movable plate I6 is heldspaced from the fixed plate by a flange [8 at its lower edge and it isnormally disposed between two forwardly extending side elements I9 and20. The side element I9 does not extend all the way to the top of thefixed plate, so that an opening 2| is provided for the receipt ol.coins. The coins fall down between the parts i l and I6 and are stoppedby the bottom flange l8 so that they can continue down and to the rightas viewed in Figs. 1 and 2.

The fixed plate is provided with upwardly extending lugs 22 and 23 whichcarry a shaft 24 on which is pivotally carried a movable front plate 25.A coil spring 26 holds the plates together and permits swinging themovable plate about the shaft as an axis.

The plates are provided with top and bottom flanges which hold theplates spaced to provide a channel and also determine the maximumdiameter of the coin which can pass thrqugh that por- 210, and thebottom flanges are carried by the movable plate and indicated at 28a,28b and 280.

The lower flanges are discontinuous and between these flanges are placedthe platforms 29, 30 and 31 of coin scales 32, 33 and 34 pivoted on ashaft 35 carried by the fixed plate ID. The upper flanges 21a, 21b and210 are stepped, as indicated in the drawings, the steps 36 and 3! beingopposite the scale platforms 29 and 30.

In the preferred construction, the parts are dimensioned so that a 25piece is stopped by the shoulder 36 and weighed by the scale 32. Nickelsand pennies are stopped by the shoulder 31 and the nickel is weighed bythe scale 33, the pennies being held against further movement down thechute and the dimes pass into a narrow portion of the chute provided bythe shoulder 31a, and

go to the bottom of the chute to be weighed by the scale 34. Thepositions of these coins are indicated by the heavy dotted circles inFig. 2. The discharge of a good coin by the scale is illustrated in Fig.6. This coin presses down on the scale platform 29 and must travel in asubstantially vertical direction for a considerable distance. It ispushed only a slight amount out of vertical as it leaves the upper chuteand the amount of this movement is limited by a front liplike member 38carried by the coin receiving chute 39. The coin passes down this chuteto the proper mechanism of the vending machine.

Should a magnetic slug be passed into the opening 2|, it will pass downthe chute, but will be stopped by the magnet indicated at 40. Thismagnet is held in place by a strap 40', and has pole pieces whichproject through openings in the rear wall platform member ID so as tocause the magnetic slug to adhere to them. Any under weight coin orimproper coin will be held in the chute or passage-way and will not bedischarged by the coin scales.

The coin chute is opened to release the slugs or improper coins, andthis opening is accomplished with some mechanism which swings the frontplate 25 about its axis. This mechanism is here shown in the form of amagnet coil 42, acting on an armature 43 carried by an extension 44 onthe front movable member. The extent of movement is indicated bycomparing Figs. 4 and 5.

In order to make sure that coins or slugs will be ejected from the coinchute, the movable member or plate'carries three ejectors, 46, 4'! and48. normally behind the path of travel of the coin, but movableforwardly when the coin chute is opened to engage any coin or slug onthe scale and push it forwardly. This operation is illustrated in Fig.7. The ejector 46 is placed between the pole pieces of the magnet so asto push a magnetic slug away from thesepole pieces, and the low cost.

ejector 41 is made long enough to engage cents as well as nickle sizeslugs.

In order that the vertical'portion of the coin passage may be opened toallow foreign matter stuffed into the coin chute to drop out, the plateI6 is provided with a member 50 which extends down in front of the frontplate 25 to be engaged by that plate so that the plate I6 is swungforwardly at the same time that the lower portion of the coin chute isopened.

The construction herein shown and described is one which is susceptibleof mass production at The various parts may be accurately and cheaplymade by die-casting processes and the parts readily assembled with aminimum amount of labor.

It is obvious that the invention may be em bodied in many forms andconstructions within the scope of the claims and I wish it to beunderstood that the particular form shown is but one of the many forms.Various modifications and changes being possible, I do not otherwiselimit myself in any way with respect thereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A coin classifier and slug detector comprising a fixed plate, amovable plate hinged to the fixed plate and pressed toward it, theplates being spaced and disposed to form a coin chute along which coinsmay roll and having stops which determine the maximum diameter of coinsor slugs to be accepted by the portion of the chute therebeyond,discontinuous bottom flanges carried by one of the plates, coin scalescarried by the fixed plate and having platforms between the flanges toprovide a bottom wall for the chute, each scale being adapted to betripped only by a. coin of sufiicient weight, the movable plate havingslug ejectors above each platform, and normally behind the path of thecoin, the ejectors moving forwardly to engage slugs or underweight coinson the platforms and shift them off, and a coin chute disposed beloweach scale to receive coins discharged thereby and out of the path ofcoins or slugs discharged by the corresponding ejector.

element normally spaced from the rear wallforming element to accommodatecoins and having discontinuous rearwardly extending shelf-like parts toreceive the lower edge of the coins, and a plurality of coin scalescorresponding with the coins to be classified and successively disposedalong the chute opposite the stops, the coin scales having coinreceiving platforms disposed between the shelf-like parts and on towhich the coins may roll so that a coin may roll down the chute as faras its diameter permits, each scalebeing adapted to be tripped only by acoin of sufficient weight, the front wall-forming element being movableaway from the rear wall-forming element so that slugs, or impropercoins, may fall out of the chute.

3. In a coin classifier and slug detector, an inclined coin chute downwhich coins are adapted to roll, the depth of the chute being graduatedto provide stops which determine the maximum diameter of coins or slugsallowed to pass by, the chute comprising a rear, fixed, wall-formingelement whose front face is free of obstructions along its lower edge,and a front wall-forming element normally spaced from the rearwall-forming element vto accommodate coins and having discontinuousrearwardly extending shelf-like parts to receive the lower edge of thecoins, and a plurality of coin scales corresponding with the coins to beclassified and successively disposed along the chute opposite the stops,the coin scales having coin receiving platforms disposed between theshelf-like parts and on to which the coins may roll so that a coin mayroll down the chute as far as its diameter permits, each scale beingadapted to be tripped only by a coin of sufficient weight, the frontwall-forming element being movable away from the rear wall-formingelement so that slugs, or improper coins, may fall out of the chute andcarrying slug ejectors which move said slugs or improper coins forwardlyto free them of the scale platforms.

4. In a coin classifier and slug detector, an inclined coin chute downwhich coins are adapted to roll, the depth of the chute being graduatedto provide stops which determine the maximum diameter of coins or slugsallowed to pass by, the chute comprising a-rear, fixed, wall-formingelement whose front face is free of obstructions along its lower edge,said element being apertured in advance of each stop, and 'a movablymounted front wall-forming element to accommodate coins and havingdiscontinuous rearwardly extending shelf-like parts to receive the loweredge of the coins and ejectors extending through the apertures, and aplurality of coin scales corresponding with the coins to be classifiedand successively disposed along the chute opposite the stops, the coinscales having coin receiving platforms disposed between the shelf-likeparts and on to which the coins may roll so that a coin may roll downthe chute as far as its diameter permits, each scale being adapted to betripped'only by a coin of sufficient weight.

5. A coin classifier and slug detector having three coin scales adaptedrespectively to be tripped by a quarter, nickel, or a dime, a downwardlysloping coin chute disposed in a vertical plane and of such dimensionsas to conduct dimes and cents while rolling on edge pastthe quarter andthe nickel scale, to conduct dimes only to the dime scale, nickels andcents only to the nickel scale, and quarters only to the quarter scale,the chute having a movable side wall adapted to be opened to allow coinsor slugs to drop out of the chute, the movable side wall carrying anejector above said scale to shift underweight coins or slugs off thecorresponding scales.

6. A coin classifier such as claimed in claim 5, having coin chutescorresponding with the scales, each disposed to receive only coinsdischarged by the scale above the same.

7. A coin mechanism comprising a chute having vertical side walls spacedto receive a coin of predetermined size, a scale having a rearwardlyoffset pivot and a forwardly extending flat platform extending acrossthe bottom of the chute, the scale platform being depressed by a coin ofproper weight and the coin passing downwardly by the edge of theplatform, a second coin chute disposed below the scale to receive thecoin discharged thereby, the upper end of the second chute having afront wall disposed a substantial distance beyond the edge of theplatform to intercept the advancing edge of the coin as it passes downby the platform and is tilted out of the ver-- tical plane by theplatform, and means for laterally discharging coins or slugs which donot depress the scale to project them beyond the upper edge of thechute,

- FAIRFIELD W. HOBAN.

